General Support Information

Attendance, Punctuality, Absences and Authorised Absences

In order to strive for high levels of success, the college operates a strict attendance and punctuality policy.

We expect all students to be on time for and attend all lessons. Student who are late for class will be required to complete a late slip. Teachers monitor lateness and absences and discuss these with students. Persistent lateness or absenteeism could result in students getting a formal warning and may lead to a student being withdrawn or excluded from College.

All bursary payments are dependent on students having a minimum of 85% attendance per week.

If a student is absent due to sickness or authorised reason they MUST complete an authorised absence request form, available from the Information Centre, Paddington Green Campus or at Maida Vale Administration Office, within five days of their return to college. This MUST then be signed by the parent/carer or student if aged over 19 and returned with evidence.

If the authorised absence form is not signed and returned the register will show a O mark and any bursary payments may be affected.

To report an absence call:

Paddington Green Campus: 020 7258 2712

Maida Vale Campus: 020 7258 2812

If a student has to attend medical, dental or other non- urgent appointments, these should be arranged outside of class time.

Bullying, discipline and staying safe at College.

The College takes its safeguarding responsibilities very seriously. We ensure that students are told that bullying and all anti-social behaviour is totally unacceptable at induction and throughout the year. The College expects all students to follow our Student Code of Conduct. We will take action, as outlined in our Student Disciplinary Code if a student behaves inappropriately or acts in a way which could harm or endanger another member of the College community.

Cyberbullying and safe use of social media

Students are reminded during tutorials and via information posters and other safeguarding campaigns, to use social media responsibly. Any incidents of inappropriate use of social media or cyberbullying should be reported to a teacher, member of the enrichment team or Student Advisor as soon as possible.

By signing the City of Westminster College ‘Our College Code’ students are agreeing to abide by our College policies, this includes our IT and Internet Policy.

Careers and Employability Support

There are two Careers Advisors, based in the Information Centre who offer Information, Advice and Guidance around progression and employability. All enrolled students have the option of seeing a Careers Advisor for one to one support. The Careers Advisors also deliver taught tutorials on UCAS, employment pathways and job search skills.

Click here for more information on careers advice

Disability Support

Students are asked to inform the College of their support needs at application, interview or enrolment or at any time during their course. We have a team of specialist staff who support students; the type of support offered will depend on an individual student’s needs and will be negotiated with the student and in many cases his/her parent/ carer.

To ensure that support can be put in place in a timely manner, applicants are asked to identify that they have a learning support need on their application form.

Enrichment and extra-curricular activities

We have a team of Enrichment workers and a College Sports Maker, who deliver and support our enrichment programme. We offer a range of sport based activities, and support students who want to get involved in volunteering, becoming College Ambassadors, or take part in the London Citizens programme.

Click here for more information on enrichment and extra-curricular activities

Food

At Paddington Green Campus we have a canteen on the 3rd floor which serves a wide variety of hot and cold foods from 8.30 a.m. until 2.00 p.m. and a Costa Coffee outlet that serves drinks and snacks and stays open until the early evening. The canteen serves vegetarian options and Halal meals are available. At Maida Vale Campus we have a canteen on the grown floor which serves a wide range of hot and cold foods and is open until 2pm. 

• Students can use the microwaves on the 3rd floor to heat food.
• Students are not permitted to bring food from hot food outlets into College.
• 16 – 18 year old students who were eligible for Free School Meals may be eligible for Free Meals in F.E.

Financial Support

The College has been allocated funds to support financially disadvantaged students stay in education. The money can be used to help with additional travel costs, or pay for books, equipment or childcare. Eligibility will depend on personal or family income.

Social Security Benefits

If you are getting benefits when you start your course you may be able to continue to get the benefit while on your course. This will depend on your personal circumstances and the type of course you want to enrol on. You may want to speak to a Student Advisor and your Benefits Office before enrolling at College, to check how your studies will affect your eligibility for benefits.

Please note: You MUST inform the benefits agency of any discretionary Learner Support fund or Bursary payments you receive while at College.

Council Tax Exemption

If you are aged under 20 years of age and studying for more than 12 hours a week you will be exempt for Council tax purposes. The College can provide a letter showing your hours of study or a Learning Agreement if this is required.

Child Benefit & Child Tax Credit

Child benefit is payable to the parent or guardian of a young person who is attending a course of study for at least 12 hours a week for a full academic year, up to their 19th birthday. If a young person is on a continuing course of study they may be able to continue to receive Child Benefit until they reach 20 years of age or they complete their course, whichever is sooner. For further Information please contact the Child Benefit Helpline (0300 200 3100)

Travel

Students may be eligible for help with the cost of travel to College. Transport for London offers a discount to students who are under the age of 18 and adults who study full time.

16 – 18 year olds may be eligible for a 16+ zip Oyster Photocard. This card allows free travel on buses and trams and travels at reduced rates on the tube, DLR, London Overground and most National Rail services in London.

To be eligible for free bus and tram travel, a young person must:

• Live in a London borough and
• Be in full-time education and
• Be between 16 and 18 (this includes those who were 18 on 31st August 2018)

Being in full-time education is defined as:

• At least 12 hours of guided learning per week, between 09:00-17:00, Monday to Friday

Application forms can be collected from Post-Offices or downloaded from the TFL website. The College is required to verify that the young person is enrolled on a College course and meets the TFL eligibility criteria.

If you are 18+ you may be eligible for an 18+ Student Oyster Photocard Card. Only students who “are enrolled on a full-time course made up of at least 15 tuition-led or structured learning hours a week (with attendance at scheduled classes being Monday to Friday only and not including evening classes) over a minimum of 14 weeks on the same course” are eligible.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to check their eligibility before making an online application.

Pastoral support

All full-time students will have a personal tutor who will monitor their academic progress and signpost students to specialist support. In addition, the College has a team of specialists who can offer additional help. These include:

• Student Advisors
• Student Enrichment Workers
• Careers Advisors

Please email studentadvice@cwc.ac.uk if you would like to speak with a Student Advisor.